There’s more to your GP than you might think

When most people think about their local GP surgery, two things usually come to mind – long waits for appointments and phones ringing non-stop. And while that can sometimes be true, it’s really just the tip of the iceberg.

We know that being unwell can feel stressful enough, and having to wait in a long phone queue or for an appointment can make it even more frustrating. But at The Grange Medical Practice, as with many other GP surgeries, there’s so much more happening quietly in the background every single day to keep things running smoothly and ensure patients get the care they need.

Every member of our team from receptionists and nurses to doctors and administrators plays an important part in making this happen.

Behind every appointment, there’s a great deal of unseen work that helps keep your care safe, accurate and well-coordinated. Our GPs spend time reviewing test results, updating medication records, completing medical or insurance reports, and managing referrals to hospitals or specialist clinics. Much of this happens outside of appointment hours, often after a full day of seeing patients.

Running a GP practice takes a lot of teamwork and organisation. Behind the scenes, our staff are updating systems, handling documents, and meeting national health standards. There’s regular training, supervision, and planning to make sure we continue to provide safe, high-quality care for all our patients and our wider community.

Beyond the medical side, we’re always looking for ways to improve how we work whether that’s through new technology, greener practice operations, or clearer communication with our patients.

So next time you visit or call the surgery, it’s worth remembering that what you see – the phone lines, the waiting room, and your appointment is only a small part of what your GP team does each day. Beneath the surface, there’s a dedicated team of people working hard to make sure you receive the best possible care, often in ways you might never see.

We’ve also introduced PATCHS, our online consultation tool, so you can easily contact us about administrative or simple medical queries without waiting on hold. And if you’d still prefer to speak to someone on call but don’t want to stay in the waiting queue, you can press 5 anytime, and a member of the PCN team will call you back.

The Grange Medical Practice